You’re Taxing Santa?

What about the kids? If they find out the government is trying to tax Santa Claus, how can they believe? As reported by Reuters:

The [Ukraine] government faces $9 billion in foreign debt repayments next year and its budget deficit almost tripled in January-October this year to more than $4 billion.

No, not Santa! [He’s called Did Moroz locally.]

By studying internet advertisements, the state tax service found out that a Did Moroz with a traditional female Snihuronka (Snow Maid) helper would earn 250 to 3,500 hryvnias ($30 to $440) per hour in capital Kiev this season.

“Such citizens will need to file forms and pay taxes,” the tax service said in a statement.

Hmm. “Will need to” not “must.”

The service said it was barred from conducting tax checks on small businesses but urged ordinary Ukrainians to report tax-dodging Santas.

Now that’s a loophole Santa could drive his sleigh right on through. Here’s the source.